Work & Play
Getting into work properly now – Quite enlightening being on the other side of the fence being a volunteer/new worker. At workshop this weekend in Tacloban on the island of Leyte in the Visayas. Very interesting learning about a charity which sends kids to school and supports woman’s income generating projects. It only costs £172 per year per year to send a kid to school for a year. They provide for child labourers and those orphaned in a mud slide disaster last year. Here u have to be able to pay for the books, uniforms and shoes to go to school as well as towards the basics like electricity, water and maintenance.
It feels good to get back into the swing of work and try and solve familiar problems without having the personal stress of keeping my own staff in their jobs. The scale of the problems here seems so much more urgent, but it is possible to make an impact just by sharing knowledge and experience which is more gratifying that the recent stresses of my job in the UK.
It’s difficult at times seeing the kids on the streets in Manila especially when they are same age as Angelica and Gianna. It’s particularly hard seeing the little girls at night trying to sell strings of flowers to people in cars at traffic lights. They are obviously extremely vulnerable especially near the red light district.
I visited the equivalent of Childline here last week – Bantay Bata. They rescue children who are victims of abuse. Although it is a children’s helpline, most calls are from adults concerned about children. Children don’t have access to phones or the confidence to report their own abuse. I’ve volunteered to deliver some training and management advice. They are located very close to where we live and it will be great to use my helpline experience.
Staying in a nice(ish) resort Leyte Park Hotel in Tacloban where the workshop is taking place. Very dramatic skyline with thunderstorms over the mountains yet sunshine on the coast. Spectacular at night. Have got up each morning and had a swim before breakfast. Good spa for daily massages. In the evening have sea food with a view so it’s a very nice way to do “work”. See photos . Marc at home with the girls. Gianna keeps sending me “chat” on my laptop whilst in workshop. Sort of nice though she can stay in touch – been raining in Manila so think they have spent all their time at Mall.
Had call from my Bro after his 40th party. I was just in from swim and he and the gang kicking off the all night party. Sooooo wanted to be there but also really settling in here so it’s a hard one – if I could have “jaunted” back for a night that would be just perfect. Better still to have them all over here to party in the sunshine. Have our holidays to look forward to on Wednesday – What!!! I hear u all say “isn’t it all a holiday” hmmmmmmm pretty much since we got into the house and more settled. :)
It’s difficult at times seeing the kids on the streets in Manila especially when they are same age as Angelica and Gianna. It’s particularly hard seeing the little girls at night trying to sell strings of flowers to people in cars at traffic lights. They are obviously extremely vulnerable especially near the red light district.
I visited the equivalent of Childline here last week – Bantay Bata. They rescue children who are victims of abuse. Although it is a children’s helpline, most calls are from adults concerned about children. Children don’t have access to phones or the confidence to report their own abuse. I’ve volunteered to deliver some training and management advice. They are located very close to where we live and it will be great to use my helpline experience.
Staying in a nice(ish) resort Leyte Park Hotel in Tacloban where the workshop is taking place. Very dramatic skyline with thunderstorms over the mountains yet sunshine on the coast. Spectacular at night. Have got up each morning and had a swim before breakfast. Good spa for daily massages. In the evening have sea food with a view so it’s a very nice way to do “work”. See photos . Marc at home with the girls. Gianna keeps sending me “chat” on my laptop whilst in workshop. Sort of nice though she can stay in touch – been raining in Manila so think they have spent all their time at Mall.
Had call from my Bro after his 40th party. I was just in from swim and he and the gang kicking off the all night party. Sooooo wanted to be there but also really settling in here so it’s a hard one – if I could have “jaunted” back for a night that would be just perfect. Better still to have them all over here to party in the sunshine. Have our holidays to look forward to on Wednesday – What!!! I hear u all say “isn’t it all a holiday” hmmmmmmm pretty much since we got into the house and more settled. :)
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